Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.4.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

CLIMATE 

Climate change will “lead to battles for food,” says World Bank president (via The Guardian)

Global warming study casts doubt on “missing heat” hypothesis (via Washington Post)

Climate change is already altering the Australian landscape (via The Guardian)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU concludes French feed-in tariffs for wind energy permissible (via Renewable Energy World)

Japan moves closer to approving post-Fukushima energy policy (via Bloomberg)

US used more energy, put out more CO2, in 2013 (via Greenbang)

RENEWABLES 

Solar cheaper than LNG in Asia for power, says report (via Bloomberg)

Costa Rica opens the door to more renewable energy generation (via Tico Times)

US lags behind China in renewables investments (via Climate Central)

Senate Finance Committee votes to restore wind tax credit (via The Hill)

Consortium aims to bring solar to US schools (via Solar Industry)

Vermont boosts solar by nearly quadrupling net metering cap (via CleanTechnica)

Low-income rooftop solar program helping hundreds of California families (via Renewable Energy World)

SolarCity’s new $70 million securitized rooftop solar portfolio (via Greentech Media)

Robots find a job in the emerging world of solar energy (via Washington Post)

Ten clean energy stocks for 2014: Patience rewarded (via Renewable Energy World)

South Dakota senators confident in wind energy tax credit extension (via Prairie Business)

OIL 

UN panel to weigh dangers of oil-by-rail cargo (via Reuters)

Bakken Shale oil output to soar as spending hits $15 billion (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

High gas prices not fueling decline in driving (via The Hill)

Average fuel economy of new US vehicles was 25.4 mpg in March; best mark yet (via Green Car Congress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Exxon agrees to disclose fracking risk, quells shareholder action (via Dallas Morning News)

Mind the fracking data gap, says study (via Climate Central)

Toxic emission spikes at fracking sites are rarely monitored, finds study (via InsideClimate News)

Interior IG says agency’s injection wells “a threat to the nation’s drinking water” (via Greenwire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

$13.2 billion derived from sales of energy efficiency services by end of 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

Studies show efficiency still the cheapest energy resources (via Midwest Energy News)

Energy-saving company Opower set for public offering (via New York Times)

Opower prices IPO at high end of $19 per share (via GigaOm)

GRID 

Millions of smart meters are coming to Pennsylvania (via Renew Grid)

Texas grid upgrade spurs wind records (via Recharge)

COAL 

China to close nearly two thousand small coal mines (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

El Nino probably won’t quench California’s thirst (via FiveThirtyEight)

OPINION 

Earth has a fever, but the heat is sloshing into the oceans (via The Guardian)

“Big green bucket” needed for development bank loans (via Bloomberg)

Three “next steps” for California climate action (via National Geographic)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.1.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

World foots $1.9 trillion fossil fuel subsidy bill every year (via Recharge News)

Mining giant Chile prepping carbon tax to curb CO2 emissions (via Reuters)

Exxon: Highly unlikely world limits fossil fuels (via AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Hybrid vehicles more fuel efficient in India, China than in US (via Phys.org)

Study: Gasoline prices will fall if US exports crude oil (via Houston Chronicle)

Massachusetts plugs into electric vehicle rebates (via CleanTechnica)

With EV market in its infancy, Tesla still needs to take risks (via GigaOm)

RENEWABLES 

Global wind power market declined 20% from 2012 to 2013 (via Navigant Research)

Latin America to add 53GW new wind by 2023 (via Recharge)

Merkel may ease cuts for onshore wind power to save jobs (via Bloomberg)

First Solar sees 20MW new solar capacity in Australian mining projects (via Renew Economy)

Support for solar energy climbs to nearly 80% of Americans (via Navigant Research)

Utilities enter the distributed generation era (via Navigant Research)

Wind farms have no sizable impact on house prices (via CleanTechnica)

Study: Michigan could triple renewable energy at low consumer cost (via Midwest Energy News)

3.3MW solar system tops San Diego airport (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear kingdom: Saudi Arabia’s atomic ambitions (via Breaking Energy)

CLIMATE 

Report predicts cities’ reaction to climate change (via Environmental Leader)

Combating climate change may take a global vegetarian movement (via National Journal)

MIT researchers propose massive microbe bloom may have triggered Permian extinction (via Green Car Congress)

Baseball bats may be next victim of climate change (via Daily Climate)

NATURAL GAS 

Chevron, Polish firm jointly explore for shale gas (via CNBC/AP)

Pennsylvania leases more than 1,400 acres under rivers and streams to natural gas drillers (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

GRID 

Green Charge Networks: In some markets, cost-effective energy storage is here (via Forbes)

Solar Decathlon houses make up solar village to test microgrid technology (via Renewable Energy World)

KEYSTONE XL 

Silicon Valley’s elite comes out against Keystone XL (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

ENVIRONMENT 

“Living with drought” website created for Nevada (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

From energy guzzler to energy efficient – 5 ways to create an energy-saving home (via The Good Human)

OPINION 

Is the SolarCity model the only way to scale residential solar? (via Greentech Media)

MIT climate scientist responds on disaster costs and climate change (via FiveThirtyEight)

Latinos benefit from green jobs: Dirty energy industry green with envy (via Huffington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.14.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

OIL 

Crude oil shipments by rail increased 83 percent in 2013 (via New York Times)

BP regains ability to bid on leases for US land and water (via Washington Post)

Report: Fracking could raise earthquake risks in California (via Houston Chronicle)

Average pump price passes $3.50 for first time in 6 months (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Research: China’s “war on smog” won’t cut CO2 by much (via RTCC)

Social cost of carbon greatly underestimated, says report (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

Norway’s oil fund may inject $40 billion in renewables (via Renew Economy)

Mexico boosts appeal as emerging solar market (via Solar Industry Magazine)

The burden of permitting, inspection, and interconnection on residential solar PV deployment (via Energy Collective)

California’s grid sets two new solar energy records in two days (via CleanTechnica)

Xcel Energy awards $42 million for development of renewable energy projects (via Renew Grid)

US seeks comments on Virginia offshore wind (via Recharge)

It’s official: Efficiency, clean energy can help fill California’s nuclear generation gap (via Renewable Energy World)

Panasonic looks to California for solar-storage integration lessons (via Greentech Media)

KEYSTONE XL

Beyond the hype, Keystone would yield few permanent jobs (via Reuters)

Keystone debate rages in Senate over health, climate effects (via Houston Chronicle)

Kerry says he hasn’t prejudged Keystone XL (via The Hill)

Markey wants Keystone XL oil to stay in US (via The Hill)

Dems grapple with dilemma on Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

SEC’s role in climate change (via The Hill)

Technology needed to combat climate change, says Murkowski (via Bloomberg)

Here’s what the Chamber of Commerce thinks about global warming (via National Journal)

NATURAL GAS 

16% of natural gas consumed in Europe flows through Ukraine (via US EIA)

Experts see cheaper way to turn natural gas into fuels (via Reuters)

Stakes high in mystery over Ohio fracking, quakes (via Columbus Dispatch)

COAL 

Emails link Duke Energy and North Carolina regulators (via New York Times)

North Carolina rejects Duke’s coal ash plan, amid leniency accusations (via News & Observer)

Utility quietly buying up homes near Wisconsin coal plant on groundwater pollution fears (via Journal-Sentinel)

18 Ohio coal power plans operating with expired pollution permits (via Columbus Dispatch)

POLITICS 

Climate change showdown in Florida governor’s race (via InsideClimate News)

Hanger withdraws from Pennsylvania governor’s race (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

OPINION 

Russia picks an odd time to put on climate halo (via Bloomberg)

Are US infrastructure needs truly urgent? (via New York Times)

How risky is investing in oil stocks? (via CleanTechnica)

Five things we learned from the Keystone XL Senate hearing (via Climate Progress)

Fourth time’s the charm on climate change for Chamber of Commerce (via National Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.3.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

China may build biggest smog lab to control pollution (via Bloomberg)

Norwegian government reviews fossil fuel divestment plan (via BusinessGreen)

EPA set to reveal tough new sulfur emissions rule (via New York Times)

KEYSTONE XL 

Hundreds arrested at White House Keystone XL protest (via Politico)

Native Americans vow a last stand to block Keystone XL oil pipeline (via Washington Post)

Boxer joins Grivalja in push for Keystone XL contractor review probe (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

US biodiesel production sets annual and monthly records (via Facts of the Day)

Analysis finds some research studies may overstate energy crop yields by as much as 100 percent (via Green Car Congress)

Battle over renewable energy ahead in Kansas legislative session (via Lawrence Journal-World)

PUC pushes limits on Pennsylvania solar net metering actions (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Cape Wind finds cash, eyes 2016 for offshore wind operation (via EarthTechling)

Maine governor seeks to get rid of wind energy goals (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Flood damage cost to rise fivefold across Europe by 2050 (via The Guardian)

Russia outlines plans to meet 2020 climate goals (via RTCC)

Apple CEO advises climate change deniers to get out of company stock (via CNET)

More companies face climate-related risks to supply chains (via GreenBiz)

GRID 

Joint-operating dispute reignites between Midwest grid operators (via EnergyWire)

Southwest Power Pool launches new market, is poised to double in size (via EnergyWire)

Energy storage: California’s new green tech battleground (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

IEA chief: Only a decade left in US shale boom (via Christian Science Monitor)

US natural gas prices rise a second day on winter storm, Ukraine escalation (via Bloomberg)

LA city council takes step toward fracking ban (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

EPA takes step toward restricting Pebble Mine project on Alaska’s Bristol Bay (via Washington Post)

California governor signs $687 million drought relief legislation (via Reuters)

California rain brings mudslides but no drought relief (via Time)

North Carolina regulators cite Duke Energy in coal ash spill (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Top 10 regions for EV growth in US – Atlanta crushing it! (via CleanTechnica)

Almost $1 billion in claims filed against bankrupt Fisker (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico energy overhaul could renew interest in green power (via Houston Chronicle)

In search of new sales, defense contractors embrace energy market (via Washington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

DOE steams ahead with third appliance standard in Obama’s “year of action” (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

Edison Electric Institute really does not want you to go solar (via Greentech Media)

Batteries combined with rooftop solar may speed grid’s “death spiral” (via EnergyWire)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.25.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

Backloading EU carbon market fix poised to become law (via BusinessGreen)

UN promises “bold response” to stalled carbon offset scheme (via BusinessGreen)

Supreme Court questions EPA’s power on emissions controls (via National Journal)

Supreme Court justices struggle for common ground on EPA emission rules (via Greenwire)

Shell reaches landmark with world’s first industrial carbon capture project (via Houston Chronicle)

EPA threatens Pennsylvania over air pollution rule violations (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL 

Governors: Obama expects Keystone decision within months (via Politico)

Loopholes speeding Keystone XL route through Nebraska backfire on governor, TransCanada (via InsideClimate News)

RENEWABLES 

China narrows gap to US in renewable energy ranking (via Bloomberg)

Greece awaits “new deal” after adding 1GW of solar in 2013 (via PV Magazine)

Netherlands connects over 600MW of PV to grid (via PV Tech)

Survival of fittest in China’s renewable energy market (via Bloomberg)

India announces 2GW worth of new large-scale solar projects (via CleanTechnica)

Non-hydro renewable sources triple electricity output in last decade (via Facts of the Day)

Powering the US with renewables: A state-by-state roadmap (via Renewable Energy World)

ALEC coordinates new attacks on renewables mandates and net metering (via Greentech Media)

Unions’ full support for offshore wind a “work in progress” (via ClimateWire)

Sugarcane converted to cold-tolerant, oil-producing crop (via Science Daily)

SolarCity says it had “an amazing year” in 2013 but delays earnings (via GigaOm)

SolarCity to install fewer panels in first quarter (via Reuters)

California startup turns old wind turbines into gold (via InsideClimate News)

North Carolina is newest net-metering battleground (via Energy Manager Today)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japan unveils draft energy policy, with nuclear, in wake of Fukushima (via The Guardian)

Court throws out Bush Administration rule on mountaintop coal removal (via SustainableBusiness)

GE to spend another $10 billion on energy research by 2020 (via Reuters) 

Oil, coal trains, concerns likely to increase in Northwest (via Spokesman-Review)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas at heart of GE’s $10 billion Ecomagination boost (via Greentech Media)

More work needed to stop natural gas flaring at oil wells, officials say (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

UN makes future of small island states a 2014 priority (via RTCC)

Increase in Western wildfires fuels Obama’s budget move (via Climate Central)

OIL 

Oil net imports have declined since 2011, with value falling slower than volume (via US EIA)

Shell’s Arctic oil plans face shareholder scrutiny (via RTCC)

TRANSPORTATION 

Volt fleet to cross 400 million EV miles today (via GM)

OPINION 

Is it getting any easier for clean tech firms to cross the “valley of death?” (via Greentech Media)

RMI report predicts demise of existing utility business (via Energy Manager Today)

After legal setback in Nebraska, what’s next for Keystone XL? (via Climate Progress)

A $400 natural gas bill? It’s on the way (via Washington Post)

Microalgae-derived biogas a promising alternative to fossil fuels (via Phys.org)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.12.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon backloading start possible in March (via Reuters Point Carbon)

South Korea risking sky-high carbon prices, worry for exports (via Reuters)

Obama administration quietly preparing deeper emissions targets for UN talks (via ClimateWire)

Capturing carbon may add 80% to US electricity costs (via Bloomberg)

California’s rate of CO2 cuts “needs to be doubled” after 2020 (via RTCC)

OIL 

OPEC sees stronger 2014 oil demand growth (via Reuters)

Russia expects 2014 oil output to renew post-Soviet record (via Reuters)

EIA lowers US oil output forecast but highlights shale upside (via Reuters)

Fracking blamed for drought in California (via CNBC/Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

India to double its renewable power capacity by 2017 (via The Hindu)

Unsubsidized solar power gives it a go in Spain (via Breaking Energy)

India’s plan for world’s largest solar farm my stumble over wetlands (via The Guardian)

UK radar deal “could unlock 2.2GW” of new wind capacity (via Recharge)

Honduras wind project gets $82 million guarantee (via Recharge)

How Chile is shepherding its renewable energy expansion (via Renewable Energy World)

How online maps can speed up solar site selection (via GreenBiz)

Lockheed backs world’s largest wave energy project (via Forbes)

Wind turbine prices fall 35% from 2009-2013 (via Facts of the Day)

Mosiac to offer retail investments in residential solar (via Bloomberg)

New York State’s green bank confirmed as “open for business” (via BusinessGreen)

Massive offshore wind farm takes shape off….Rhode Island? (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta premier says she won’t play games with US on Keystone (via The Hill)

Environmental movement to test its muscle in Keystone final stretch (via InsideClimate News)

Is shipping oil by rail as dangerous as the Keystone pipeline? (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota to recall 1.9 million Prius hybrids (via BusinessGreen)

Nissan Leaf ranks as best-selling EV in Europe in 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

Airbus forecasts Asia-Pacific will need 11,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years (via Green Car Congress)

Over 250,000 vehicle-to-grid enabled EVs will be sold from 2013-2022 (via Navigant Research)

Nissan Leaf accelerates to 45% total zero-emissions market share (via GreenBiz)

Tesla Motors stock breaks $200 mark for the first time (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

Pipe break at coal facility contaminates West Virginia waterway (via Climate Progress)

Private testing finds coal chemical in 40% of West Virginia homes (via Climate Progress)

CLIMATE 

Economist says best climate fix a tough sell, but worth it (via NPR)

Hot Alaska, cold Georgia: How the shifted polar vortex turned winter upside down (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Louisiana natural gas export terminal gets green light (via National Journal)

Colorado communities battle to ban fracking (via DeSmog Blog)

Explosion and fire at Chevron natural gas well in Pennsylvania (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to set up $1.6 billion fund to fight smog (via Reuters)

In California drought, a message to consumers: Water is power (via Christian Science Monitor)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green builders weather housing slump (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

House Republicans receive lowest environmental rating in 44 years (via Washington Post)

Landrieu era to begin on Senate energy committee (via National Journal)

Koch brothers bombard vulnerable Senate Democrat Kay Hagan (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.23.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

CLIMATE 

Climate takes center stage at World Economic Forum (via National Journal)

Europe, facing economic pain, may ease climate rules (via New York Times)

Massachusetts invests $50 million in grid, coastal climate resiliency (via CleanTechnica)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

EU may scrap green fuel law in boon for tar sands industry (via InsideClimate News)

TransCanada calls Keystone XL “safest pipeline to date” (via The Hill)

TransCanada’s 2013 lobbying topped $1 million (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Global utility-scale solar capacity climbs past 21GW in 2013 (via Renew Economy)

European Union relaxes renewable energy target (via Houston Chronicle)

Latin America gets its first concentrating solar plant (via Sustainable Business)

A U.S. offshore wind farm, made in Europe (via New York Times)

U.S. appeals court won’t revisit California ethanol ruling (via Reuters)

Honda ramps up U.S. wind power capability (via BusinessGreen)

OIL 

Federal appeals court rules Arctic oil lease sale flawed (via Washington Post)

Big Oil, small jobs: A look at the oil industry’s dubious job claims (via Center for American Progress)

North Dakota governor says new national safety standards for oil trains needed sooner than 2015 (via Inforum)

TRANSPORTATION 

The U.S. government keeps predicting we’ll drive more than we actually do (via Washington Post)

Silicon Valley workplaces rage when more EVs than charging stations (via Autoblog Green)

$50 million for advanced EV tech and more (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

California aims to increase energy efficiency, demand response (via Renew Grid)

How Harry Reid delivered a 235-mile long transmission line to Nevada (via National Journal)

Another 40MW of grid scale energy storage in the California pipeline (via Greentech Media)

New York looking to catch up with California’s lead in energy storage (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Moniz: Natural gas risks can be “managed” (via Houston Chronicle)

Proposed fracking in Virginia national forest meets broad opposition (via Los Angeles Times)

EMISSIONS 

South Korea to tax coal for power, lower LNG and fuel oil tax from July 1 (via Reuters)

Europe divides over more ambitious pollution limits (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Institutional investors concerned about climate risk, “stranded assets” (via Breaking Energy)

Divesting from Big Oil – and making money (via San Francisco Chronicle)

NUCLEAR 

Ohio nuclear plant reports radioactive leak (via Columbus Dispatch)

ENVIRONMENT 

Historic California drought called a red flag for future of U.S. (via Christian Science Monitor)

Second chemical leaked during West Virginia spill prompts new probe (via The Guardian)

ENERGY POLICY 

Pennsylvania governor releases all-of-the-above energy plan (via Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Internet and cable giant Comcast will soon sell electricity in Pennsylvania (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUILDING 

New report compares economic payoffs of white, green, or black roofs (via Phys.org)

OPINION 

10 questions to ask about scaling on-grid renewable energy (via World Resources Institute)

Finally, a reason for some optimism about climate change (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.17.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

OIL 

Mexico gears up for an oil boom of its own (via Christian Science Monitor)

US oil production closing in on record (via National Journal)

Senate Dems press Interior to back off Arctic oil drilling (via National Journal)

Feds press California officials on refinery safety (via National Journal)

CLIMATE 

Alps warming at double average global rate, confirms new study (via Climate Progress)

Study: Climate change could drain access to water (via National Journal)

Plants “could stop being brake on global warming” (via The Independent)

RENEWABLES 

India on course to become solar “global leader” (via RTCC)

Solar’s massive growth in top 10 solar countries (via CleanTechnica)

US ethanol use to hit record as corn prices slump, feds project (via Houston Chronicle)

Dems push to extend clean energy tax credits (via National Journal)

Clean energy boosters blast feds’ forecast (via Houston Chronicle)

Analysis: Clouds over Hawaii’s rooftop solar growth hint at US battle (via Reuters)

Missouri is latest front in homeowners fight for “solar rights” (via Midwest Energy News)

Turning a building’s water system into a hydroelectric plant (via New York Times)

COAL 

More and more major banks pledge not to finance new overseas coal plants (via Climate Progress)

Remember the “war on coal?” – coal’s losing, but only in the US (via Washington Post)

EMISSIONS 

Oceans storing more carbon than previously thought (via Climate Central)

Study: Piecemeal approach to emissions proves surprisingly effective (via United Press International)

EU reaches deal to cap super-warming F-gases (via Reuters)

As backloading passes, Davey promises push for “structural reform” of carbon market (via BusinessGreen)

CARB approves another round of cap and trade amendments (via Environmental Leader)

Oregon weighing carbon tax (via Statesman-Journal)

Wisconsin on track to reduce CO2 emission by 22% (via Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel)

NUCLEAR 

Ohio, Michigan riled over plan to bury nuclear waste (via Toledo Blade)

GRID 

Favorable consumer attitudes toward smart meters continue to increase (via Navigant Research)

PJM authorizes $4.6 billion in regional electric grid upgrades (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US forecasts natural gas boom through 2040 (via USA Today)

NY governor could delay fracking ban decision until after 2014 election (via Houston Chronicle)

Pennsylvania is the fastest-growing natural gas producing state (via US EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

Do EV incentives impact resell value? (via EarthTechling)

Tesla Model E could arrive in January 2015, earlier than expected (via Autoblog Green)

TAR SANDS 

Kinder Morgan files application for another tar sands pipeline across British Columbia (via Climate Progress)

Need for more tar sands imports called into question with latest US energy data (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Why the future of the light bulb is flat (via GigaOm)

Is Google getting back into the energy data game? (via GigaOm)

OPINION 

Which is more wrong: EIA’s latest coal or renewable energy market share projection (via Facts of the Day)

Solar energy heading to mainstream in the US (via Energy Collective)

Distributed storage: The killer app for solar? (via Greentech Media)

A burning question: Why don’t climate scientists sound more worried? (via ClimateWire)

Solar industry forecast: Sunny with a chance of issues (via GreenBiz)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.17.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

OIL 

Mexico gears up for an oil boom of its own (via Christian Science Monitor)

US oil production closing in on record (via National Journal)

Senate Dems press Interior to back off Arctic oil drilling (via National Journal)

Feds press California officials on refinery safety (via National Journal)

CLIMATE 

Alps warming at double average global rate, confirms new study (via Climate Progress)

Study: Climate change could drain access to water (via National Journal)

Plants “could stop being brake on global warming” (via The Independent)

RENEWABLES 

India on course to become solar “global leader” (via RTCC)

Solar’s massive growth in top 10 solar countries (via CleanTechnica)

US ethanol use to hit record as corn prices slump, feds project (via Houston Chronicle)

Dems push to extend clean energy tax credits (via National Journal)

Clean energy boosters blast feds’ forecast (via Houston Chronicle)

Analysis: Clouds over Hawaii’s rooftop solar growth hint at US battle (via Reuters)

Missouri is latest front in homeowners fight for “solar rights” (via Midwest Energy News)

Turning a building’s water system into a hydroelectric plant (via New York Times)

COAL 

More and more major banks pledge not to finance new overseas coal plants (via Climate Progress)

Remember the “war on coal?” – coal’s losing, but only in the US (via Washington Post)

EMISSIONS 

Oceans storing more carbon than previously thought (via Climate Central)

Study: Piecemeal approach to emissions proves surprisingly effective (via United Press International)

EU reaches deal to cap super-warming F-gases (via Reuters)

As backloading passes, Davey promises push for “structural reform” of carbon market (via BusinessGreen)

CARB approves another round of cap and trade amendments (via Environmental Leader)

Oregon weighing carbon tax (via Statesman-Journal)

Wisconsin on track to reduce CO2 emission by 22% (via Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel)

NUCLEAR 

Ohio, Michigan riled over plan to bury nuclear waste (via Toledo Blade)

GRID 

Favorable consumer attitudes toward smart meters continue to increase (via Navigant Research)

PJM authorizes $4.6 billion in regional electric grid upgrades (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US forecasts natural gas boom through 2040 (via USA Today)

NY governor could delay fracking ban decision until after 2014 election (via Houston Chronicle)

Pennsylvania is the fastest-growing natural gas producing state (via US EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

Do EV incentives impact resell value? (via EarthTechling)

Tesla Model E could arrive in January 2015, earlier than expected (via Autoblog Green)

TAR SANDS 

Kinder Morgan files application for another tar sands pipeline across British Columbia (via Climate Progress)

Need for more tar sands imports called into question with latest US energy data (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Why the future of the light bulb is flat (via GigaOm)

Is Google getting back into the energy data game? (via GigaOm)

OPINION 

Which is more wrong: EIA’s latest coal or renewable energy market share projection (via Facts of the Day)

Solar energy heading to mainstream in the US (via Energy Collective)

Distributed storage: The killer app for solar? (via Greentech Media)

A burning question: Why don’t climate scientists sound more worried? (via ClimateWire)

Solar industry forecast: Sunny with a chance of issues (via GreenBiz)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.10.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

COAL 

Chinese coal use to hit 4.8 billion metric tons annually by 2020 (via The Diplomat)

Australia approves dredging near Great Barrier Reef for coal port (via Reuters)

US pressured to block proposed coal plant in Pakistan (via ClimateWire)

Updated study highlights eroding economics of US coal fleet (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

CLIMATE 

The Montreal Protocol, a little treaty that could (via New York Times)

China outlines climate change adaptation plans (via RTCC)

Local leaders planning for climate effects (via AP)

Four cities show leadership in adapting to local climate impacts (via WRI Insights)

RENEWABLES 

China switches solar PV focus from utility-scale to rooftop market (via Renew Economy)

EU uncertainty threatens biofuel output target (via Bloomberg)

EU study finds renewables most popular energy option among citizens (via Renewables International)